Chocolate-Dipped Nut-Stuffed Dates

Happy New Year! I was never one to go to some crazy party and stay up until the wee hours of the morning on New Years Eve. I never really saw the point, and, honestly, I value sleep a little too much. But I did end up going to one of my favorite restaurants, Tamari, last night with a group of friends from high school. We had a wonderful time, and the food was, of course, fabulous.

Do you have any resolutions for the big ol’ 2015? I wouldn’t say that I have a resolution list, per-say…I more have a list of things to do before we reach 2016. I figured I wouldn’t be setting myself up to fail by expecting all of these aspects of my life to change overnight – I am giving myself the entire year to accomplish them. To hold me accountable to said goals, here are a few:

1. READ – I loved to read as a kid, but I have definitely gotten away from it after I started college. I have a huge list of books to read until I start my big-person job in the summer: The Bell Jar, The Great Gatsby, Fahrenheit 451, Gone Girl, The Power of Habit, etc….have any other suggestions?

2. Focus on the good and stay positive – huge one for me. I’m sometimes a Debbie-Downer…which is so no fun for anyone.

3. Have weekend plans – I like to grocery shop and watch Netflix a little too much. Having plans = branching out = meeting new people = goodness.

4. Write – One of my biggest passions in life is to put pen to paper. I’m hoping to dedicate a little more time to this blog, too.

5. Eat mindfully – which brings me to…

One of my all-time favorite snacks…of all-time. I cannot begin to tell you how much I love dates, aka. little nuggets of caramely gooeyness. They make the perfect snack if you’re craving some sugar and don’t want any of that refined mumbo-jumbo. I am convinced that dates are nature’s candy, and I will gladly (and proudly) put it up against any glucose syrup-and-red dye #40-packed garbage.

Coming from someone who adored Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups as a kid, I can safely say that two or three of these Chocolate-Dipped Nut-Stuffed Dates quickly cures my cravings. They’re packed with fiber, nutrients, minerals, protein, and healthy fats. What more could you want in a snack or dessert?

Dates are, bar-none, one of the most delicious fruits you can put in your mouth. There are two popular varieties, which you will be able to find in most grocery stores: medjool and deglet. While both are delightful in their own right, I would suggest medjool dates for this application to induce maximum yumminess.

The middle of this treat is ultimately up to you. Peanut butter is my favorite food, so it is an obvious choice for me. If you’re a texture freak and want a little crunch in the middle, add an almond or two for a healthy dose of vitamin K. Almond butter would be another fabulous choice. Or go crazy and do all three. The world is your ~~oyster~~ stuffed date.

Chocolate. Do I even need to explain this? If you want a truly refined sugar-free treat, I have included a suggestion in the recipe; I got it from Angela from Oh She Glows, who discovered the truly scrumptious method of pseudo-chocolate making. This is what I always use, but if you’re interested, chocolate chips work just fine.

These Chocolate-Dipped Nut-Stuffed Dates are a fantastic way to give in to your sweet tooth without wrecking all of those NYE fitness plans of yours. These treats nurture your body in so many ways – healthy fats, vitamins, minerals, fiber,… – , so go forth, indulge, and eat ’em up!